Windmill concerns

As a Somerset County property owner, I have many concerns about the impending changes to the "Somerset County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance". Section203 and 1006 are of interest to us.

Of great concern is the very definition of commercial windmill facility in Section 203.

The height at which the windmill is considered commercial should be lowered. Since many of the county's commercial windmills are under this 262 foot height determination, there is little protection in this document from future development. This number should be lowered while still accommodating home and farm windmills and antennas.

As stated in section 1006, the 3000 foot distance requirement should be measured to the property line of the adjacent property owners and not the adjacent property owner's residence or outbuildings. Why should the owner of the potential windmill site be able to use the land of the adjacent owner to fulfill his 3000 foot requirement? As the ordinance is written now, the windmill could be of legal distance but be mostly affecting the adjacent owner's land and therefore it's potential usage and value and related problems.

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Also in section 1006, the decommissioning fee imposed upon completion of the windmill should be increased. If the proposed windmill has a lifespan of 20 years, $50,000 will not be sufficient to cover removal. The company could be long gone and again the citizens of the county will be forced to pay the bill.The fee should be determined per windmill and not per site.

At the meeting, employment opportunities from windmill development were brought up. After the construction period, employment will be very minimal. One man will oversee many windmills.

At the meeting, some property owners felt their right to use their land was being infringed upon. However; I also have a right to live safely and enjoy my land. I now see a long line of red flashing lights when looking out the front door at night. I hope the commissioners take their time to develop a thoughtful and comprehensive plan to protect the citizens of Somerset County.